Fading Wood Trim. I think I am getting screwed by MB Dealer.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 15
2011 E550 (RIP), 2014 CLS 550C4
My MY11 E550 also has faded trim - though not quite as bad as what I saw in the other cars I looked at.
The car had only 24K miles on it when I bought it about a month ago but is nearing the end of the 4 year B2B warranty. I need to make an appointment to have it looked at.
The car had only 24K miles on it when I bought it about a month ago but is nearing the end of the 4 year B2B warranty. I need to make an appointment to have it looked at.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, MN
2010 E350
[QUOTE=thefisch;6158410]
Just a follow up. I want to thank the forum for the advice. I did contact MB USA and they worked with the dealer. They indicated they would replace the trim. My wife will call the dealership on Monday to arrange the work. Thanks to MB USA, my dealership and again, the folks on this forum.
I am in a similar boat to you but mine was not CPO mor purchased from MB dealer. My story is posted in here somewhere. Car was only 3.5 years told with 50,400 miles on it. MB customer service did not grant me any goodwill. But you have it going for you that you bought yours from an MB dealer and they didn't disclose wood issue to you. Give customer service a shot.
Just a follow up. I want to thank the forum for the advice. I did contact MB USA and they worked with the dealer. They indicated they would replace the trim. My wife will call the dealership on Monday to arrange the work. Thanks to MB USA, my dealership and again, the folks on this forum.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
Likes: 27
From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Recently sat in a stealership's 2011 W212 with horribly faded burl walnut trim around the center console and above the glove box. It was incredibly light / cloudy white and totally un-sellable in my opinion. Merc salesman said MB would replace it for owners, but not for dealers. Rationale was that dealers would take advantage. Sounded very odd (read: somewhat unbelievable), but I didn't press him because it wasn't the car for me for a number of other reasons.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
2012 E350 Sport Sedan (palladium silver)
New Wood Kit Coming...
Thanks to everyone on this article... I wouldn't have even thought of asking the dealership to replace. Just got back from my service appointment. No issues what so ever. El Dorado Hills Mercedes was awesome. Said it might take up to 2 months... but they will replace the whole wood kit no issues.
Lovin it...
Lovin it...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 66
From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
I have 2011 E350 and started noticing that the wooden trim around the dash board is beginning to fade exhibiting cloudiness, discoloration and sun-spots. I am aware that there was a technical bulletin for this problem on earlier W212s. However my VIN number falls well outside the range of the affected cars.
Took the car to Mercedes Benz San Diego and showed it to the service advisor and his manager. First they tried to tell me that it was a normal occurrence of wood 'maturing' in the sun. When I pointed the color difference between the color of the wood trim around the dashboard and the ones on the doors, they agreed that there was definitely fading. The service advisor took pictures with his iPhone and promised to escalate it directly to MB HQ to get their guidance.
Today (two weeks later) I get a call from SA with an offer. He claimed that it would cost MB over $3000 to replace all the wood trim in the car but they would be willing to do it if I would cover $1000! They could also replace just the faded pieces under warranty but, obviously, they wouldn't match the rest of the wood trim around the car.
I am getting impression that the dealer is trying to cut corners and get away with doing the work. No reasonable person would replace just several wood panels to ruin the look of the interior. But I am also not insane to pay $1000k for something that should be done under warranty. I think they know this and using this tactic for me to just go away.
What do you guys think? I am going to try a different dealer but is there a way to escalate this issue?
Took the car to Mercedes Benz San Diego and showed it to the service advisor and his manager. First they tried to tell me that it was a normal occurrence of wood 'maturing' in the sun. When I pointed the color difference between the color of the wood trim around the dashboard and the ones on the doors, they agreed that there was definitely fading. The service advisor took pictures with his iPhone and promised to escalate it directly to MB HQ to get their guidance.
Today (two weeks later) I get a call from SA with an offer. He claimed that it would cost MB over $3000 to replace all the wood trim in the car but they would be willing to do it if I would cover $1000! They could also replace just the faded pieces under warranty but, obviously, they wouldn't match the rest of the wood trim around the car.
I am getting impression that the dealer is trying to cut corners and get away with doing the work. No reasonable person would replace just several wood panels to ruin the look of the interior. But I am also not insane to pay $1000k for something that should be done under warranty. I think they know this and using this tactic for me to just go away.
What do you guys think? I am going to try a different dealer but is there a way to escalate this issue?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, MN
2010 E350
Yes indeed. MBUSA stepped up and the only request from our dealer was to hold off for Q4 ( I suspect a quarterly budgeting concern on their part.) She took the car in yesterday. The work is done and looks fantastic.
The dealer has always treated us well in the past so I'm glad I didn't have to look elsewhere.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
